A method of forming a silicided gate on a substrate having active regions is provided. The method comprises forming silicide in the active regions and a portion of the gate, leaving a remaining portion of the gate unsilicided; forming a shielding layer over the active regions and gate after the forming step; forming a coating layer over portions of the shielding layer over the active regions; opening the shielding layer to expose the gate, wherein the coating layer protects the portions of the shielding layer over the active regions during the opening step; depositing a metal layer over the exposed gate; and annealing to cause the metal to react with the gate to silicidize at least a part of the remaining portion of the gate.